Frankly, I’m tired.

I’m tired of listening to all these whiny American sports “fans” gripe about how the World Cup is boring.

“There’s no scoring.”

“I can’t stand when it ends in a tie.”

“The horns are annoying.”

It makes you sound — to put it bluntly — dumb, spoiled and impatient.

Don’t get me wrong.

As a red blooded child of the stars and stripes I fully understand soccer (don’t dare call it football) is an acquired taste, like any food which isn’t an American staple.

But if there was a moment for us to try something new and have a chance to sneak a morsel of the world’s greatest sports spectacle, now is the time.

Who knows, you might actually like it.

I realize most of you reading this did not watch the U.S. defeat Algeria 1-0 Wednesday to advance to the Cup’s final 16. It did take place at 10 a.m. when most are at their jobs, but if you had the opportunity and chose “The View” or “Bonanza” over Landon Donovan and company pulling off a miraculous last-stitch victory, you should feel ashamed.

It seems for some reason the international importance of the World Cup is lost on most Americans. Granted the MLS is at the bottom of the major sport leagues and the U.S. hasn’t exactly been (nor is now) a soccer powerhouse, but the sheer drama-induced frenzy the past three U.S. games have spurred in me, and millions around the world, is just a click away.

And it only happens every four years.

In some countries, actually MOST countries, work and play stop when the national team steps on the pitch (that’s the playing field for novices).

People DIE watching these matches and all we can think of is “I want more scoring.”

Oh I see, you’d rather watch a three-hour baseball game that ends 1-0 where more time is spent with the pitcher rubbing the ball and adjusting his cap than any sort of real action where national pride and international reputations are on the line.

You don’t know what you’re missing.

In Wednesday’s American triumph there was an officiating controversy, near misses, blood, guts and last-second glory, all in a two-hour time limit. Find that in a baseball game or a professional basketball game that is NOT Game 7 of the NBA Finals and I’ll kiss your foot.

Personally, I don’t watch professional soccer save maybe a Champions League final here or there, but when it comes to supporting my country, I make no qualms — U.S.A. all the way.

It’s a matter of pride.

For decades the U.S. has been the whipping boy of the international soccer community. Everyone loves beating up on those cocky “Yanks” who just can’t seem to grasp the “beautiful game.”

Well it seems now, or at least with this particular team, things are changing for the better and if you don’t watch, you are missing out on history and are missing out on some intense and fun sport viewing.

I was nearly reduced to tears when Donovan put home the rebound off Clint Dempsy’s final shot. Countless times throughout the match I was up out of my chair screaming at the television, followed by nervous laughter and a chorus of “Ohh man’s.”

All this from someone who has NEVER played soccer. I’ve kicked a soccer ball once or twice but I have never even taken part in a pickup game. My high school didn’t have a soccer team until my senior year (2001).

It’s obvious this is the real reason why a large group of people choose to badmouth what the rest of the world shuts down to view — they just don’t understand.

They don’t get it.

All I ask is that even if you don’t LIKE soccer, and you most certainly don’t like watching soccer, give this U.S. team a chance this Saturday at 2 p.m. on ABC. You might find yourself cheering just because you are watching your countrymen. At the least, I implore you, don’t bash something you just don’t understand. That shouldn’t be the American way.